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★★★★★

4.9

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29 reviews

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Unbuffered explores Internet access, digital equity, and local technology solutions, but with a broader lens on how tech shapes our lives, our communities, and our sense of agency. We make technology and technology makes us.

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Why ISPs Fail and the Reality Facing State Broadband Offices - Episode 29 of Unbuffered

2026/10/13

What causes new Internet service providers to stumble right out of the gate, and what is really going on behind the scenes at state broadband offices? Chris, Doug Dawson, Doug Adams, and Jade Piros de Carvalho unpack the hidden operational traps that derail network builds, and the compliance fatigue surrounding the BEAD program. ★ Support this podcast ★

Who Controls the Megaphone? - Episode 28 of Unbuffered

2026/10/07

As ownership caps fall and mega-mergers unite giant media studios, what happens to the future of real journalism? Chris sits down with Free Press's Matt Wood and tech journalist Karl Bode to unpack how media consolidation fuels "enshittification" and erodes local news ★ Support this podcast ★

The FCC on Trial: Defense of Free Speech and the Future of Media Regulation - Episode 27 of Unbuffered

2026/09/30

Are broadcast license threats being weaponized to silence free speech? Chris, Gigi Sohn, and Berin Szóka unpack Disney’s landmark lawsuit against the FCC and the dangerous rise of regulatory intimidation. ★ Support this podcast ★

Tree Canopies, Broken Data, and DOGE Math - Episode 26 of Unbuffered

2026/09/23

Is national broadband data actually reliable, or are we just taking ISP claims on faith?Join Chris and Sean as they unpack flawed FCC reports, major BEAD dropouts, Starlink tree canopy problems, and the questionable math of DOGE. ★ Support this podcast ★

The FWA Reality Check and the BEAD Final Numbers - Episode 25 of Unbuffered

2026/09/15

Chris and Doug Dawson break down new Ookla FWA data, critique the FCC’s flawed mapping challenges, examine the final BEAD funding numbers, and tackle the wild economics of artificial intelligence. ★ Support this podcast ★

Local Tech, Big Surveillance: Rethinking Municipal IT - Episode 24 of Unbuffered

2026/09/08

Can local governments build modern public safety infrastructure without sacrificing citizen privacy or handing millions to private cloud vendors? Former Shreveport CTO Keith Hanson joins Chris to break down the hidden costs of vendor-owned surveillance, the realities of municipal IT bureaucracy, and how cities can use creative, low-cost solutions to retain control over their own data. ★ Support this podcast ★

Flock Off! - Episode 23 of Unbuffered

2026/08/25

Are Flock safety cameras keeping communities safe, or just building a private dragnet for mass surveillance? Chris sits down with independent reporter Daniel Boguslaw to unpack the Flock Safety debate and reveal how everyday citizens are fighting back. ★ Support this podcast ★

Fiber on the Right Track - Episode 22 of Unbuffered

2026/08/18

Chris and Doug Dawson discuss a major court ruling that could make Fiber deployment across railroad rights-of-way easier, Starlink’s ambitions to become a mobile network operator, and what recent court decisions could mean for the future of the FCC. ★ Support this podcast ★

Built for the Storm - Episode 21 of Unbuffered

2026/08/11

Lee Brown and John Fredericks join Chris to discuss how Erwin Fiber weathered Hurricane Helene and what the community is building back stronger. ★ Support this podcast ★

Time for a Retrofit! - Episode 20 of Unbuffered

2026/08/04

From Massachusetts' affordable housing retrofit program to a giant mirror in space, Chris and Sean unpack the latest stories shaping broadband. ★ Support this podcast ★

Technology Without Guardrails - Episode 19 of Unbuffered

2026/07/28

What do surveillance, A.I., and broadband policy have in common? Chris and Sascha connect the dots. ★ Support this podcast ★

Dialing Back Protections: The Battle for California's Lifelines - Episode 18 of Unbuffered

2026/07/23

What happens when telecom companies are allowed to walk away from providing basic, reliable phone service? Chris, Harold, and Arturo explore AT&T’s push to end its landline commitments in California and why network modernization shouldn't leave vulnerable communities behind. ★ Support this podcast ★

Protecting Tribal Access to Spectrum - Episode 17 of Unbuffered

2026/07/14

Too Easy to Reach Orbit? - Episode 16 of Unbuffered

2026/07/07

Chris and Doug Dawson unpack a new survey of rural Americans, the lawsuit over the Digital Equity Act, and what the FCC's latest satellite decisions could mean for the future of our skies ★ Support this podcast ★

The Plot to Hijack America’s Broadband - Episode 15 of Unbuffered

2026/07/01

From America's 250th anniversary to BEAD and broadband policy, Chris, Sean, and Karl unpack some of the biggest stories shaping the telecommunications landscape ★ Support this podcast ★

Podcast reviews

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4.9 out of 5

29 reviews

★★★★★

Chiefers1998 2026/07/02

Informative beyond recognition

The folks that do this podcast lay out the issues for rural and low income areas in regards to obtaining quality low cost internet via fiber. It is ...

★★★★★

Crgreene73 2026/03/28

Internet industry experts, unbuffered

If you want to stay informed about how government and industry affects local access to digital opportunities and resources, you’ve found the right pod...

★★★★★

Reflectomatron 9000 2020/11/17

Warm duck shuffle

Christopher out there putting in work. Best tech podcast hands down. Thank y’all!

★★★★★

DrewClark 2018/04/26

MuniBroadband Bits Rocks!

Always topical, always exciting, always fresh and fast-paced!

★★★★★

EPD169 2018/02/19

Fantastic muni broadband info

As a Systems Admin in a rural community who is two years into municipal fiber deployment, I enjoy hearing about others who have been down the road and...

★★★★★

GetTheFlick 2017/07/05

Community Bits

If you live in rural America and you want to get connected to high-speed internet, you should be listening to this podcast and sharing it with your re...

★★★★★

GoCard17 2017/04/29

Fascinating!

Informative, interesting and well-organized. I just listened to the interview of Gary Reback, which was especially compelling. Thanks for this great...

★★★★★

djs114 2017/02/04

Community Broadband Bits

Great podcast...I listen to them all

★★★★★

Matthew Mahler 2017/01/25

Great broadband access podcast

Talks about small and sometimes rural areas about their trials and victories to try and bring better internet access to those people that the large co...

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